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By TYLER RALEY | Staff Writer

BIRMINGHAM – On a night where one of Shelby County’s best was celebrating the culmination of his accomplishments on the gridiron in high school, it only seemed fitting that Briarwood Christian’s Garrett Witherington was surrounded by his friends and family as he announced his college commitment.

Witherington announced his decision to attend and play for the University of Kentucky Wildcats under head coach Mark Stoops on Sunday, June 29 at a ceremony at Moe’s BBQ in downtown Birmingham.

“I’m just happy to finally be 100 percent committed,” Witherington said. “I committed earlier this week on Monday and just talking to coaches just reassured myself that it’s home for me.”

The three-star edge rusher for the Lions is now the 13th commit for the Wildcats in the 2026 recruiting class and the second from the state of Alabama next to Hewitt-Trussville running back Delvecchio Alston.

Standing at 6-foot-5, 290 pounds, Witherington chose the Wildcats over Stanford, Georgia Tech, Penn State and Mississippi State.

For Briarwood Christian head coach Matthew Forester, this is his second commitment to a Power 4 program in his tenure at the head of the program along with quarterback Christopher Vizzina.

He expressed his excitement for Witherington and all that he has done for the program.

“I’m super excited for him, for his family,” said Briarwood Head Football Coach Matthew Forester. “I think Kentucky is an amazing school and what coach Stoops has done up there to build that program is remarkable. They really pursued Garrett and they really wanted him and so for Garrett to make a choice like this, get to play in the SEC, get to go a respected defensive coach in the SEC… To have that stability and to go to a place like Kentucky is pretty special. I’m super excited for him, super excited for our team. It shows what hard work and commitment will do.

Briarwood’s leader up front on the defensive side of the ball is officially ranked as the No. 37 prospect in the state of Alabama in the 2026 class and is the No. 115 defensive lineman in the nation according to 247Sports.

In his career at Briarwood Christian, Witherington is a two-time All-County Second Team player and earned an Honorable Mention for the Class 5A All-State team in 2024.

In his junior season, the force up front racked up a total of 55 tackles, which included 30 solo tackles and 13 tackles for loss to go along with four sacks and 19 quarterback pressures. He also served on the offensive side as a blocking tight end in heavy packages, making him more versatile and appealing.

Witherington discussed that Kentucky’s coaches really made him feel like he would be in the right place in Lexington, and that their bond was appealing in the recruiting process.

“Coach Stoops, coach (Brad) White and coach (Anwar) Stewart, all of those guys were just super welcoming and they were just great, not only to me, but just the relationships they had with each other really stood out to me and really made it feel like home,” Witherington said.

With the journey on the recruiting trail being one of many directions, Witherington expressed how happy he has been to have Forester as someone he could lean on when he was unsure of something or when he wanted to learn something new.

“Coach Forester has done everything for me,” Witherington said. “Ever since freshman year, he has kind of taken me under his wing and any question I’ve had along the journey, I’ve always asked him and it’s been really great. I wouldn’t be where I am right now without him.”

Now, ahead of his final season in Lions Pride Stadium, Witherington looks to make his mark on the field to get ready for the competition in the SEC, with his full focus on the preparations now that his recruitment is shut down.

“I’m happy I’m finally 100-percent focused on my school year now,” Witherington said. “I don’t have any other things that’s going to take my mind away from watching film or getting ready for each thing. I’m happy to be 100-percent ready.”